August 2023: Open House and Congressional Update
I am thrilled to invite you to an open house at our new district office in the Sabathani Community Center.
We couldn’t be prouder of our new location, and we want to share this occasion with you.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, September 6
Time: 4:30 PM — 7 PM CT
Sabathani Community Center Suite 222
310 East 38th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55409
Kindly RSVP here.
Raising the Minimum Wage
I recently sat down with WCCO’s Esme Murphy to discuss my bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour. It’s an outrage that the minimum wage has not been raised since the George W. Bush Administration. At a mere $7.25 per hour, the current federal minimum wage is a poverty wage that perpetuates cycles of financial struggle for many Minnesotans. That’s why I am calling for a bold and necessary step forward: raising the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour. This is a realistic proposal that will not only address the current gap between wages and the cost of living but also pave the way for a more equitable and just society. Watch the interview here.
$3 million to Combat Homelessness in Minnesota
Avenues for Youth in North Minneapolis is tirelessly working to ensure that every young person has a place to rest their head. I recently visited their shelter to celebrate the $3 million I secured to help Avenues for Youth expand their shelter space and transition housing for kids and young adults in North Minneapolis. No child should ever know the chilling feeling of uncertainty that comes with not having a bed to call their own.
During my recent visit to the Food Group in New Hope, I learned about their remarkable efforts in growing, collecting, and distributing nearly 2 million pounds of nourishing food to communities across the Twin Cities. The impact of their work is not just measured in pounds of food, but in the lives they touch, the families they support, and the hope they provide.
Expanding Access to Homeownership
I met with the Minneapolis Area Realtors chapter, talking about access to home ownership, energy efficiency upgrades, and more. Home ownership feels out of reach for so many people — especially young people and people of color — and Congress needs to ensure that more people have access to one of the most important ways of building intergenerational wealth. I’ll continue to advocate for investments in housing — such as my Homes for All bill — to end the affordable housing crisis.
We ushered in Black Business Month by coming together to recognize the remarkable achievements of Black women entrepreneurs. Our gathering took place at ZaRah with CEO/Owner, Kenya McKnight Ahad, a holistic wellness center and small business incubator nestled on the bustling West Broadway Avenue.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, we have delivered over $450 billion in emergency relief to small businesses and overseen the largest boom in new small business applications on record.
Black Business Month at Ludy’s Boxing Gym
I continued honoring Black Business Month at Ludy’s boxing gym. Having learned the art of boxing as a young child at the Sabathani Community Center, he has now opened his own gym just down the street. He transformed his childhood hobby into a thriving business that provides a space for physical training and serves as a platform for mentorship.
My office can help small businesses navigate federal grants and funding for small businesses. If you are looking for grants or have questions about starting a small business, please call my district office at 612–333–1272.
In Service,
Ilhan Omar
